Longtime Bellmead council member faces 3 challengers in at-large race

A longtime Bellmead City Council member is facing three challengers May 2 who say they want to emphasize infrastructure improvements and improved engagement between residents and city leadership.

Incumbent Gary Moore, who has served since 2012 and twice as mayor, will face challengers Katrinna Forrest, Anita Gomez and Alfreda Love in the election for the at-large seat. Early voting begins Monday.

Love

Love, 47, pointed to several years of prior service on the council through 2021, including time as mayor pro tem, saying the experience gives her an edge in understanding city budgeting. She also highlighted her longstanding relationships across Bellmead, built through decades of living in the community and working in education.

When it comes to infrastructure, Love said she plans to take a data-driven approach by prioritizing areas of greatest need. She said she believes her deep ties to Baylor University, where she graduated, give her a direct pipeline to student volunteers and service organizations that can help residents with home repairs and renovations.

"Not only do I want to beautify our community and bring in other large businesses so that we can have revenue and not tax our residents, but I also want to start at home," Love said. "Charity starts at home."

She said she would pair those efforts with more traditional funding strategies, including pursuing grants, Bellmead Economic Development Corporation funds, and partnerships to address larger infrastructure needs without placing additional strain on taxpayers.

Love also emphasized economic development and long-term planning, saying attracting businesses and securing outside funding can help reduce the financial burden on residents. She pointed to water quality and utility needs as additional concerns, and said the city should look for sustainable, long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.

Gomez

Gomez, 60, a peace officer with more than 18 years of law enforcement experience, emphasized a safety-first approach to infrastructure, saying the city should prioritize foundational issues such as drainage, utilities and code enforcement.

She said drainage is a key concern, noting that standing water after heavy rains can damage roads and homes, and said aging waterlines have contributed to low water pressure that will require attention over the long term.

Gomez linked infrastructure progress to city staffing and resources, questioning whether Bellmead is offering competitive pay to attract applicants and ensure departments have the capacity to address ongoing issues.

Drawing on her law enforcement background, Gomez also emphasized "relational policing," saying she wants to strengthen trust between residents and city departments by increasing engagement and connecting people with available resources.

"It allows us … to engage with the community, to earn the community's trust, to let the community see that we're all in it together for a better community," she said.

Gomez, who is Latina and bilingual, also aims to improve representation for Bellmead's Hispanic population. She said some residents have expressed difficulty communicating concerns to city officials due to language barriers.

Forrest

Forrest, 44, owner of the event-planning business Reflections of Waco, did not attend college and instead built her experience through business ownership, ministry work and community involvement. She pointed to her years of involvement with city events and church-based community programs as the foundation of her campaign.

She said she has worked closely with residents through both her business and through pastoral leadership at Bridge Church with husband Jacob, providing insight into families' day-to-day needs and concerns. She said she has helped coordinate city events such as festivals, parades and a recurring dog show, often working alongside city staff and organizing volunteer support.

Forrest emphasized what she views as a disconnect between residents and city leadership, saying she wants to serve as a bridge between the city and its residents by increasing engagement and ensuring community concerns are heard.

"They don't feel like the city listens to them or even cares about what they say," she said. "I want to bring the city and the community together. … I feel like if we can rally citizens together, it will make such a big difference in the city."

She also highlighted a desire to expand programs that support families and address issues such as addiction, depression, anxiety and other "hurts, habits and hang-ups," pointing to her church's Celebrate Recovery program, which offers free child care and meals, as an example of the kind of support she hopes to grow.

Moore

Moore, who is running for reelection, emphasized his long experience as a council member and said he works "for the citizens, not for City Hall."

"I have been a full-time councilman, not a part-time councilman, from the beginning," Moore said. "This has never been about me, it's about the citizens of Bellmead."

If reelected, Moore said his priorities would include completing ongoing infrastructure projects such as lift station repairs, finishing an interceptor line and continuing street improvements, including work on Wheeler Street.

He also expressed support for plans to develop a new baseball and recreation complex, which would require voter approval.

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